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“Hold on, Kaylyn. Chance, are you willing to keep silent about how you really feel about her? After today, I can’t imagine you would. You’re my friend and I know you’re not a fool. You have a beautiful woman here that means so much to you. Tell her how you really feel.”
“Jaris, you’re wrong.” Chance’s words destroyed her.
She closed her eyes and the tears ran down her cheeks.
“Wrong about what?” Jaris asked.
“Wrong about me not being a fool. I have been a fool. I’ve been one for a very long time. No more.” Chance squeezed her fingers and brought his hand up to her face. “Kaylyn, do you remember that time we kissed under the mistletoe?”
She swallowed hard. “Yes. I will never forget.”
“Neither will I. I don’t want to lose you, but I can’t hold back how I feel about you any longer. You are my friend, my best friend, but damn it, I want more. I’ve always wanted more. I haven’t told you because I realized that night at the Christmas party that you didn’t think of me as anything but a friend.”
She was shocked by his words. “What? But I thought—”
He placed his fingers to her lips. “Please let me finish before you say anything. I’ve kept silent all these years, fearing I would lose you. Being close to you, even if it was just as friends, has been the best thing in my life. You make me happy every day.” He ran his fingers over her face, seeing her with his touch. “You’re beautiful. You’re smart. Kind. Generous. And so much more. I don’t deserve you, but I do want you. I love you, Kaylyn. Even if you don’t feel the same about me, I had to let you know. Jaris was right about that. I couldn’t let it go unsaid a second longer.”
She wrapped her arms around Chance. “I love you, too. I always have.”
“You love me? Really love me?”
“Yes. I love you with all my heart.”
He pulled her in closer, pressing his lips to hers. She melted into him, as the years of longing were finally over.
“Chance, your words could’ve been mine. I thought you didn’t have the same feelings for me that I had for you.” She kissed him again, feeling so happy. “Jaris made this possible for us. He saw through our walls and got us to open up.”
“Yes, he did.”
“My work here is done.” Jaris sighed. “I think it’s time for me to make myself scarce. I’ll stay in the guest bedroom, if you don’t mind. Good night.”
“Jaris, wait. I…want…”
He turned back.
“I just want to thank you for this.” Why am I holding back again?
He nodded, and before she could say a word, he left with Sugar.
Should she have confessed her feelings for him, too? Being so open and filled with joy, it would’ve been so easy.
Her mind spun with questions, but when Chance kissed her again, everything seemed to quiet, sending her into a place of utter bliss.
“I can’t believe this is happening,” she confessed.
He ran his fingers through her hair. “Me either, but I’m so happy it is, Kaylyn. I love you so much. Knowing you feel the same about me has made me the happiest man in the world. I can’t wait to make love to you.”
She giggled. “Not before Doc releases me, right?”
He smiled. “Right.”
“We’ve waited this long. I guess we can wait a little longer. But first thing in the morning we’re going to Doc’s office. He’ll give me a release or I swear I’ll punch him in the face.”
He laughed. “That’s one of the things I love about you, Kaylyn. You’re feisty.”
“Once I get back on my feet, you’re going to really find out how feisty I can be, Mr. Reynolds.” She leaned her head into his muscled chest.
“If I have anything to do with it, you won’t be on your feet, baby.” He kissed her again, and she felt her heart swell.
